Thinking of social systems as technology can de-politicize our conversation about important social issues. Reframing around technology also focuses us on finding concrete solutions, rather than fighting ideologically.

In moments of political reform we can find an important but under-appreciated idea I call “the Problem of Possibility.” This problem is that complex evolutionary systems like economies face astronomically large design spaces that they must search for adaptive fit. This challenge of ignorance and complexity is usually ignored when people talk about political economy. Rapid adaptation of a social system requires competition for scientific, not ideological or moral reasons.